So I just got golden setted

sonicare

Hall of Fame
here are the cliff notes cos I am too heart broken to even write a full report:

- friends comes over from london
- i start talking about tennis and how ui love the game and been playing the game for over a year 4 times a week etc etc
- he says, let go play some tennis

- i lose 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 in under 40 minutes

- the last set was the golden set

Turns out that he used to play for his county ( NOT country) when he was in school/ college.

Here is what I noticed

- EFFORTLESS. everything was SMOOOOOOOOTH.
- Didn't miss anything
- He was always in position to receive my shots. It was sooooooooo weird.
- DEPTH was crazy
- He didnt hit the ball that hard bu it was going past me.
- Serve was off the hook. He would tell me that he would ace me out wide and then do it.
- He didn't wait for the ball to come, he was taking the ball on the rise.

Now, I am no federer but I am OK.

Lastly, I asked him if he went all out and hes like "about 70%". Hasn't picked up the racket for 3 months.

I am about to cry. see you all soon.
 

ReopeningWed

Professional
You, my friend, are so fortunate to have something like this happen to you.
Consider it a blessing in disguise, most people can't even imagine someone hitting this well, let alone experience it first hand.
 
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sonicare

Hall of Fame
You, my friend, are so blessed to have something like this happen to you.
Consider it a blessing in disguise, most people can't even imagine someone hitting this well.

For sure man. I had a smile on my face towards the end. But it is still somewhat disheartening when I gave him my best and everything came back with interest. lol.

On a sidenote, hes a very good buddy. I cant believe that we havent talked about tennis before this and I have known him for 5 years. I am gonna try playing him as often as possible.
 

HunterST

Hall of Fame
Yeah, I wouldn't feel bad. I know losing sucks, but you've only been playing a year, and this guy is apparently a very experienced player.

In my mind, before you can reach that level, you have to know what it feels like. So in a way, you've taken a big step toward his level of play.
 

ProgressoR

Hall of Fame
sounds like a typical brit sportsman, great at sport and very humble about it, and not hesitating to kick butt when the chance appears. From this you may conclude we are a nation of tremendous athletes and tennis players. However we tend not to continue this through to the pro level, as that is taking yourself far too seriously.
 

Dreamer

Professional
You are very lucky to know a high caliber player. It's too bad you couldn't meet him in even terms, but maybe in the future. My usual partners can be inconsistent or lack a complete game :(
 
So you lost to a good player. No surprises there. The only thing I don't understand is him telling you he'd ace you out wide and then you getting aced. Why didn't you just stand in the bloody alley, as he probably calls it?
 

rommil

Legend
here are the cliff notes cos I am too heart broken to even write a full report:

- friends comes over from london
- i start talking about tennis and how ui love the game and been playing the game for over a year 4 times a week etc etc
- he says, let go play some tennis

- i lose 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 in under 40 minutes

- the last set was the golden set

Turns out that he used to play for his county ( NOT country) when he was in school/ college.

Here is what I noticed

- EFFORTLESS. everything was SMOOOOOOOOTH.
- Didn't miss anything
- He was always in position to receive my shots. It was sooooooooo weird.
- DEPTH was crazy
- He didnt hit the ball that hard bu it was going past me.
- Serve was off the hook. He would tell me that he would ace me out wide and then do it.
- He didn't wait for the ball to come, he was taking the ball on the rise.

Now, I am no federer but I am OK.

Lastly, I asked him if he went all out and hes like "about 70%". Hasn't picked up the racket for 3 months.

I am about to cry. see you all soon.

Do you appreciate Federer more? lol............Just joking. Was just curious why the Federer mention.......

There was this guy from England that went on a tour across the US and Canada and he hooked up with folks here on TTW. I played him and he was so consistent as opposed to my crappy erratic strokes. next thing I know I thought I would need a donut box for the score. Very good experience though.
 
Its important to remember that its just a game. Sounds like you've put this into perspective. It bothers me, and I've been guilty of it, when it becomes serious. A good friend won't rub it in (too much) and should even help a little. Sometimes the close ones are harder to deal with than the "beating" you took, lol.
 

r2473

G.O.A.T.
sounds like a typical brit sportsman, great at sport and very humble about it, and not hesitating to kick butt when the chance appears. From this you may conclude we are a nation of tremendous athletes and tennis players. However we tend not to continue this through to the pro level, as that is taking yourself far too seriously.

Absolute tosh
 

athiker

Hall of Fame
Here is what I noticed

- EFFORTLESS. everything was SMOOOOOOOOTH.
- Didn't miss anything
- He was always in position to receive my shots. It was sooooooooo weird.
- DEPTH was crazy
- He didnt hit the ball that hard bu it was going past me.
- Serve was off the hook. He would tell me that he would ace me out wide and then do it.
- He didn't wait for the ball to come, he was taking the ball on the rise.

Interesting post. Jives nicely with a couple of Adult League threads right now. We could probably all use a good beat down experience every once in a while by a player with "hidden" skills like that to keep our perspectives in order.

Its funny, I was just watching some pro matches on Tennis Channel and really looking at how they seem to have so much time to get in position and get their racquets back for their full swings on most rally shots. I know they are hitting so much harder than the guys I play and thus the ball is traveling much faster but they seem to be in position and setup with so much time! I get in a fast forehand rally and it seems like its all a blur! I'm really trying to force myself to watch just one player and not the ball going back and forth.

I'm really looking at it now b/c I recently switched to a heavier racquet and really need to adjust to get my racquet back and set up earlier so my stroke doesn't feel rushed.

I gotta say though, at least in the clay matches I've seen today, the balls seems pretty loopy with all the topspin, but I'm sure they would still seem pdq to me in person. I guess the secret is excellent anticipation, perfect split-step timing and of course honed quick reflexes. The almost relaxed smoothness is impressive though as you say.
 
I guess the secret is excellent anticipation, perfect split-step timing and of course honed quick reflexes. The almost relaxed smoothness is impressive though as you say.

I would say this is one of the biggest reasons why they get to these hard, accurate shots so easily. They've played and studied the game long enough to know what shots are likely to come back. Like when you run around your backhand and hit an inside in forehand. The good player is recovering as quickly as possible to cover cross court because they know they've opened up the court, while the average player hits it, watches it, doesn't recover, and gets burned.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
One year of tennis 4 days a week basically gets you around 3.0, losing double zip to EXPERIENCED 3.5's.
Now FOUR years of 4 days a week might get you peeking into the 4.0 levels, if you're a great athlete, have the $$$, have good coaching, and really want to get better.
Your friend is probably 5.0, SHOULD crush you triple bagels.
 

Geezer Guy

Hall of Fame
- friends comes over from london
- i start talking about tennis and how ui love the game and been playing the game for over a year 4 times a week etc etc
- he says, let go play some tennis

- i lose 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 in under 40 minutes

- the last set was the golden set

...

I am about to cry. see you all soon.

Your friend sounds like a jerk.
 

sonicare

Hall of Fame
I would say this is one of the biggest reasons why they get to these hard, accurate shots so easily. They've played and studied the game long enough to know what shots are likely to come back. Like when you run around your backhand and hit an inside in forehand. The good player is recovering as quickly as possible to cover cross court because they know they've opened up the court, while the average player hits it, watches it, doesn't recover, and gets burned.

HAHAHAHAHAH...oh man. tell me about it. ESP if you are used to having that shot be a winner but against good players, you are toast. a sitting duck.
 

sonicare

Hall of Fame
One year of tennis 4 days a week basically gets you around 3.0, losing double zip to EXPERIENCED 3.5's.
Now FOUR years of 4 days a week might get you peeking into the 4.0 levels, if you're a great athlete, have the $$$, have good coaching, and really want to get better.
Your friend is probably 5.0, SHOULD crush you triple bagels.

Actually , I was thinking about his NRTP level (typical TTer.lol). Defo a 5 and considering he only plays on and off now, I suspect with regular practice, he could be a strong 5.5 maybe.
 

sonicare

Hall of Fame
You are very lucky to know a high caliber player. It's too bad you couldn't meet him in even terms, but maybe in the future. My usual partners can be inconsistent or lack a complete game :(

I tell you man. Its a whole different feeling palying someone whos ona different level.

the feeling of helplessness you get knowing full well that nothing you can do will hurt him is just soooooo cruel and funny at the same time.
 

ODYSSEY Mk.4

Professional
I tell you man. Its a whole different feeling palying someone whos ona different level.

the feeling of helplessness you get knowing full well that nothing you can do will hurt him is just soooooo cruel and funny at the same time.

well know you got something to strive for!! sounds like a learning experience, your quite lucky to hit with such a good hitter. did it light a fire in your belly?
 

Turbo

New User
I suppose that's good to play someone really good, but what good is it going to be if you play him all the time? You'll just lose confidence and play like you shouldn't play. The only way you could get games off him is to try to crush it all the time and get lucky (or if he's playing really bad). Then you play someone your level and make tons of mistakes.

Don't get me wrong, it's good to play up, but not all the time, and not someone way out of your league.
 
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